Advice and tips for UK entrepreneurs who have just set up a business and are now entering the exciting initial stages of being a start-up. The guides are split into the following sections: [Expenses] – [Business Bank Accounts] – [Payment Processing] – [Payment Terms] – [Business Premises] – [Commercial Leases] – [Utilities] – [Finding an Accountant] – [Accountancy Software] – [Tax Essentials] – [PAYE] – [Websites] – [Marketing] – [Hiring Employees] – [Exporting]

Getting your business going

What expenses can you claim when setting up a business?

What expenses can I claim through my business?

Darren Fell, managing director of Crunch Accounting, discusses what costs be claimed on as a small business.

Navigating business expenses as a limited company

Emily Coltman, chief accountant at FreeAgent, gives some tips on negotiating the minefield of business expenses.

A guide to claiming legitimate business expenses

This handy guide to business expenses will tell you everything you need to know about making a claim and how much your employees could be entitled to.

Reclaiming pre-trade expenses

I have a home-based business idea. I need a computer to write my business plan (to support business post launch). Can I claim this expense back against tax when I eventually set up my limited company?

How to choose a business bank account

Do you need a business bank account?

Shopping around for the best deal is essential when it comes to choosing the right banking service for your business.

What are the best business bank accounts in the UK?

Make the right decision about your small business bank account, whether you’re just starting out or you’re more established.

Opening a business bank account in the UK: How-to and best accounts

In this piece, we’ll look at how to go about opening a business account in the UK and what services are out there.

Setting up a business bank account

In the second of a series about how to approach start-up procedures, our four business directors talk about their own memories of setting up a bank account.

Can I open a business bank account after bankruptcy?

I was made bankrupt in February 2006 and discharged in September 2006. Will this stop me from opening a business bank account?

Opening a business bank account with bad credit

I have a bad credit history and am having difficulty opening a business bank account for my limited company. What else can I do?

Key tips to opening and managing a business bank account

In this piece we discuss best practice for finding, opening, and running a business bank account.

Choose a payments processing system

Best payment processors for UK small businesses – 11 of the best

What’s the best payment system for your small business? 11 of the best payment processors for UK SMEs reviewed

The essential guide to point of sale (POS) systems

In this guide, we take a look at everything small business owners need to know about buying a point of sale (POS) system.

Five tips to get started taking card payments

Andy Macauley, chief operating officer of Handepay, gives some concise pointers to taking card payments.

6 of the best payment systems for accepting US dollars

If you have a lot of customers Stateside, you’ll want them to be able to pay in US dollars. We look at the best payment systems for USD.

How do you pay for stock? What are payment terms?

Purchase Order Best Practices and Processes

Lucy Fox, general manager of cloud solutions at Exact, puts the management of purchase orders under the spotlight.

Borrowing money to pay for stock: inventory finance, credit cards, loans and more

We explore the options that are available to help you cover the costs of your stock as well as the pros and cons.

How do you find business premises?

Co-working space versus traditional office – which is better?

The rise of co-working seems inexorable with up to 30pc of all offices going flexible by 2050.

Relocation, relocation relocation: 4 top tips for a smooth office move

Emma Davidson of Express explains what you need to consider for your next office relocation.

What you should know before moving office

If your company is growing, you’ve had a change in requirements or you just simply fancy a change of scenery, then you may be looking at moving into a new office!

How do commercial leases work?

What to consider when choosing a commercial property

Here, we look at some of the main factors to consider when selecting the perfect commercial property for your business needs.

How to negotiate a commercial lease – tips for negotiating with a landlord

Solicitor Simon Maddox tells you what to look out for when negotiating a commercial lease agreement

How to find the best deal on utilities

Business energy costs: how can you slash your gas and electricity bill?

Energy costs can easily rack up your business bill. Nicky Bannister of Flogas Energy explains how to trim them down.

What are the benefits of smart meters for business customers?

You may have heard that installing a smart meter can give your business a boost, but how exactly? Here are five key areas where smart meters can really make a difference

Best UK business phone and broadband deals – how to choose

You need to understand your business and its internet needs before deciding on the best broadband and phone deal for you.

How to find an accountant

Hiring an accountant: A small business guide

In this piece, we explore the considerations small business owners must make when hiring an accountant.

Four questions small business owners should ask before hiring an accountant

For many small business owners, it can be hard to know whether to take on an accountant. Here are some questions you need to ask yourself.

Getting the most out of a working relationship with your accountant

In this article, KashFlow advise on how you can get the most out of your working relationship with your accountant.

Choosing the right accountant

SmallBusiness.co.uk investigates how to separate the financial wheat from the chaff.

How to choose accountancy software

Best UK small business accounting software – review guide

It’s never been easier or more affordable to manage your tax and accounting using small business accounting software – find the best accounting package for your needs here.

Best accounting software if you’re a sole trader

Find the right accounting software for your sole trader businesses with this review of 11 packages on the market.

Tax essentials you need to know when setting up

Five small business taxes you need to know about

Here, FreeAgent’s Emily Coltman presents five small business taxes that you need to know about.

What taxes does a business have to pay on its trading activities?

Joanne McLaughlin of Hillier Hopkins explains what taxes your business will have to pay on its trading activities

Understanding PAYE for your Small Business

What happens when your business is subjected to a PAYE audit

Ercan Demiralay, partner at Wellers, offers his advice on what businesses need to know when the taxman visits to inspect your payroll records.

Do I have to register for PAYE if I do not have employees?

If you’re the director of a business that does not employ anybody do you need to register for PAYE? The answer is not always straightforward.

How to create a website

How do I build a website for my small business?

If you don’t know where to begin when it comes to building a website for your small business, take a look at these tips.

The pros and cons of selling through your own website

One of the most important decisions you have to make as an online seller is where you should do your selling. One entrepreneur explains why she uses her own website rather than eBay and other major selling platforms.

What’s the best website builder for my small business?

Do you want your small business to sell through the internet? Basic e-commerce packages offered by six of the most popular website builders compared

How to market your new company digitally

How to write a marketing plan

This guide offers practical advice on developing and writing a marketing plan using plain English.

The essential guide to small business marketing

In this guide, we look at how small business marketing can be made easy for new company owners.

6 hacks to improve your small business digital marketing

BBC Apprentice winner Mark Wright offers small businesses six ways to get results from their digital marketing

Five effective digital marketing tips for a small business

The digital world is a crowded place. Marketers are clamouring to have their voice heard. On top of this, the concentration span of customers is diminishing.

Small business SEO: 6 easy wins to boost your website ranking

Your small business SEO can rank alongside big rivals on Google if you follow these six simple steps

Hiring your first employee

Hiring your first employee: What to be aware of

Make sure you follow these steps to get the best employee possible for the role you are creating.

Hiring your first employee: What you need to know

In this article, Neil Parker shares his top tips for small businesses hiring their first ever employee.

Hiring your first employee as a small business

Here are three factors to consider before welcoming your first employee to your company.

How do I export for the first time?

Exporting as a small business: A guide to exporting goods abroad

In this article, we present the main considerations for a business looking to break into international markets – and look at two businesses that found success in exporting.

5 things to remember when exporting for the first time

Micro businesses are put off exporting, despite knowing there is an overseas market for their products. Mike Wilson offers a guide to exporting for the first time.